stain·ing

staining

The use of selected dyes to colour biological specimens such as cells, cell products, thin slices of tissues or microorganisms to assist in examination and identification under the microscope. See also GRAM NEGATIVE, GRAM POSITIVE.

stain·ing

(stān'ing)

1. In dentistry, modification of the color of the tooth or denture base.

staining

1. artificial coloration of a substance to facilitate examination of tissues, microorganisms or other cells under the microscope. For various techniques, see under stain.

2. marring the appearance.

chromosomal staining

blood is collected in a highly aseptic manner and placed in tissue culture medium containing a stimulant to cell division. The leukocytes are collected, killed with a cytotoxic agent, enlarged by osmosis in a hypotonic liquid, placed on slides, fixed and stained.

negative staining

a procedure visualizing specimens by either light or electron microscopy. In light microscopy, India ink which blocks the transmission of light is used as a negative stain to detect bacterial capsules. In electron microscopy, electron-dense salts such as sodium phosphotungstate are used in the examination of particles particularly viruses.

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